COPA Volunteers Connect Animal Rescue Flights With Communities, Animal Welfare Professionals

The Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) has a group who combine their twin loves of aviation and animals to make a significant impact on their communities by providing public benefit flying opportunities to help animals in need of air transportation for medical treatment.

The Canadian Wings of Rescue (CWoR) is a federally regulated volunteer charity group made up of pilots and volunteers who coordinate flights with animals needing treatment. The volunteer pilots are the heart of the service and make dozens of life-saving flights every year. Over the past 11 years, the 200-plus pilots of CWoR have provided flights for more than 1,200 animals.

COPA member and CWoR volunteer pilot Maciej Dragan says, “I’m a dog lover through and through, and if I can combine that passion with aviation, it’s a win-win situation! CWoR pilots routinely go above and beyond for a cause they believe in, knowing they’re making a difference to the animals that they rescue.” He says it isn’t just about the flying but also about giving animals a second chance.

Dragan continued, “The recent introduction of the Volunteer Pilot Organization Information Database System (VPOIDS) has made flight coordination as smooth as their rescue flights. It allows pilots to browse available transports, easily update their information, respond to flight requests and generate itineraries.”

CWoR provides total coordination support for all animal rescue flights and tries to make the job of the pilots as seamless as possible.

FMI:  canadianwingsofrescue.ca/